Thyroid complaints? How to keep your weight under control
Do you lose heart when you hear that you have an underactive thyroid? Because it is known that that is not too good for your weight. Because the thyroid regulates the metabolism in your body, there is a good chance that this slow functioning will result in extra pounds on the scale. How can you ensure that the weight increase does not run out of control and is it possible to lose some weight again?
How often does it occur?
For every 100,000 patients in a general practice, about 120 to 170 per year are told that their thyroid is working too slowly. An underactive thyroid is about 5 times more common in women than in men.
Tiny gland
Your thyroid gland is located in your neck, just below your breathing apple. This small gland, which weighs about 10-20 grams, has several tasks in your body. For example, it produces hormones that are important for your metabolism. If your thyroid works slowly and therefore produces few of those hormones, you can gain weight. A slow-acting thyroid gland is also known as hypothyroidism.
Right balance
The treatment of hypothyroidism consists of taking a thyroid hormone. This hormone compensates for the amount of hormones that the thyroid gland no longer produces. But that setting is difficult. The dosage is difficult to determine because everyone is different and it can take a few weeks for the hormones to start working and for the amount of thyroid hormone in your blood to return to normal. If the value is normal, your metabolism will also return to normal and your weight will not increase further. But that value can also change. That’s why it’s important to have your blood checked every year once you know you have hypothyroidism. This way, if necessary, the amount of hormones you take as medicine can be adjusted.
Weight under control
Unfortunately, you cannot really boost the functioning of your thyroid gland with food. And as long as the medicines are not yet properly attuned to blood values and the reduced thyroid function, losing weight is very difficult. It is already good if you can keep your weight stable during this period and prevent significant weight gain.
Try to exercise extra, at least an hour a day. By exercising, the body uses extra calories, but it also helps to strengthen your muscles. Stronger muscles provide a toned body and help burn calories. An underactive thyroid can make you tired quickly, feel lethargic and have stiff muscles and joints. Try to motivate yourself to get moving. Rest rust. By moving you keep your muscles and joints flexible and moving often also gives an energetic feeling.
Healthy food
Also try to eat healthy. Keep track of what you eat and drink for a few days and write down why you do that. This will help you discover what your difficult moments are and make a plan to deal with them. Five important tips:
1. Chew well and take frequent breaks. This prevents you from continuing to eat when you feel full.
2. Skip the sugars. So it is better not to choose products that are full of sugars such as cookies, candy and soft drinks.
3. Go for fiber. These products keep your stomach full for longer. Fiber-rich products include whole-grain cereals (such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, whole-wheat couscous, quinoa and whole-wheat pasta), fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and potatoes.
4. Choose high-protein. Products with proteins ensure satiety. And that’s handy because you won’t feel hungry as quickly. Examples of protein-rich products are dairy products, cheese, eggs, nuts, legumes, meat and fish.
5. Drink water. Water quenches thirst, fills your stomach and provides no calories.
A dietitian or weight consultant can help you keep your weight under control and possibly lose some weight if your medication is right for you.
